Japanese word

ソファ

Pronunciation

Romajisofa

Meaning

  • nouncouch

Example

そのソファに座ってテレビを見ます。so no so fa ni suwa tte te re bi o mi ma su

I sit on the couch and watch TV.

Illustration for ソファ (couch)

More examples

家族でソファに座って話します。ka zoku de so fa ni suwa tte hana shi ma su

My family sits on the couch and talks.

Core concept

A soft, raised seat with a back supports relaxed sitting, often while watching or talking.

Common phrases

  • ソファに座るso fa ni suwa ru

    sit on the couch

  • ソファで寝るso fa de ne ru

    sleep on the couch

  • ソファを買うso fa o ka u

    buy a couch

Similar words

カウチkauchi: A long, padded seat with a back, used for relaxed sitting and sometimes designed for reclining.
長椅子chōisu: A long seat made for several people, usually with a back and sometimes with armrests.

Definition in Japanese

背もたれとクッションがあり、数人で座れる長椅子。se mo ta re to ku ssho n ga a ri sū nin de suwa re ru chō i su

Word origin

Japanese ソファ (sofa) is borrowed from English sofa, which comes through Turkish from Arabic ṣuffa, meaning a raised platform or bench.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, sofa and couch usually refer to the same kind of furniture, although sofa can sound slightly more formal.

Word lists with this word